Criminal Justice Degree

The field of criminal justice is becoming more and more complex, requiring knowledge, training, and experience. Acquiring a criminal justice degree can make the difference between employment and unemployment in a competitive field. Criminal justice jobs are available at every step of the process of discovering criminal activity, investigating crimes, catching suspects, prosecuting and defending suspects, and processing convicts through the corrections process. Opportunities are also available in advocating and supporting crime victims and preventing crime at every level of society.

Specific job titles include being an agent for a government department, like the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Services) or the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency); being a law enforcement officer on the local or state level; working in a lab as a forensic specialist or criminologist; or working in the courts or a lawyer's office as a paralegal or court officer. Every one of the titles mentioned above requires a degree as a prerequisite. Some require an associate's degree while others need a bachelor's or master's degree. A criminal justice degree opens a multitude of doors.

Candidates who get a degree in criminal justice gain a comprehensive overview of the entire industry from crime detection to probation. Classes in law enforcement, family and juvenile justice, border security, and legal training accompany specific coursework in a candidate's chosen field. Future paralegals concentrate on the law and legal procedures while future government agents study security and enforcement. Regardless of the career track, education is the key to advancement.

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